Vehicle fifth-wheel



J. W'. LEBTE.

VEHICLE FIFTH WHEEL.'

No. 295,555. Patented Apr. 15, 1854.

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JOHN w. Learn, or sOUTH MERIDEN, ooivnnorronrj VEHICLE FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPBCLPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,855, dated April l5, 1884-.

Application tiled December 4, 1883. (No model.)

To cir/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that l, JOHN XV. Lauris, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at South Meriden, in the county of Xew Haven and State oi' Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axle- Couplings for (Barrin-ges, of which the following is a specification, rei'eren ce being had th eref tudinally through Fig. l, but with the parts in the proper position; Figs. 3 and fi, details ofthe band or ring; Fig'. 5, a det-ail plan view of one of the seats.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspending parts wherever they occur.

A is the bar which supports the upper part of the coupling in front. B is the bar on which the lower part of the coupling is secured. The upper part of the coupling forms ,the part circle G, the front ends ot' which are secured to a. metal plate, D, which is secured to the bar A. The middle of the part circle G, in the rear, is provided with a clip, C,which receives the reach The lower part of the coupling is formed of two short arcs, C2 C2, united by a metal plate, F, secured to the upper side of the bar B. The clip C, on the circle C, sets out from and a little below the said circle, so that a space is left between the circle and the reach E, which will allow the segments G2 to project under the reach when necessary. The pivot on which the parts turn is formed as follows: At the center of the plate D an annular seat, d, is formed having the exterior walls, d, and a central circular stud, d2. Int-o this seata ring, G, is placed,

snugly fitting the same, but with liberty to revolve. On the plate F is a 'seat with walls and central stud similar to that j ust described for plate D. The face of the walls of seats and of the center studs lit together and enl tirely surround and cover the ring G, as shown in Fig. 2. The ring or band G is of suflicient -width to enter both seats d and f and iitting snugly in both prevents lateral movement of the parts. The ring G maybe offset, as shown at y, and have athick and athinnerend. The seats el and f will be of proper width to snugly receive the ring. The ring G being a separately-formed piece, and having a seat in both bottom and top parts, gives two wearing-surfaces instead of one, as is the' case when it is secured to one or the other of the parts. Both the part F and the part D can move over it, and it can move in either of the seats, thus giving a very free action of the parts. The construction of seats and ring, whereby there is both an inside and outside snug bearing,

make a good joint and one which will wear smoothly.

The parts are held against vertical separation by a binding-plate, H. This is held in place by bolts and nuts, as will he described. The reach E is secured tothe bar A., as shown; but is bent up close to it, and bears the screw- -stud e, and back of this another screw-stud, e', while the clip C is provided with the ordinary threaded limbs c3. To the front of the bar A an upwardly-extending arm, AJ, is secured, which bears on its end a screw-threaded portion, b. The binding-plate H is provided with holes for the passage of these bolts c, e', c, and b, and when it is set in place nuts are screwed on these part-s to hold the plate H. The top of the bar B is provided with a pivot or cen' ter, B', which enters a bearing, H, in the capplate, and affords a center for the upper side oi' the bar. on a plate, H2, which cove-rs the bottoni as the plate F covers the top oi' the bar B.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi l. Au axle-coupling formed with the annular seats (l and f', whose exterior walls tit upon each other, and having the center studs, as described, and a separatelyiornied ring, G, inserted in the seats and held inside and outside by the walls and center studs, as set forth.

2. An aXlecOupling formed with the annular seats d and f', and uniting ring or band G, set in and heldl by the walls and center studs of the seats, said coupling being provided with a pivot, B', a binding-plate, H, having a bear- This pivot is preferably formed 4 IOO ing, H', for the pivot B', and means, substanl end b, said screws adapt-ed to pass through the Io tially as set forth, for securing the bindingcap and receive nuts for holding the cap, as plate. set forth.

3. In an axle-coupling, the combination of In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 5 the bars A and B, provided with seats d and presence of two Witnesses.

f, a ring, G, a, pivot, B, a cap-piece, H, pro- JOHN V. LEETE. vided with the-bearing H for the pivot, the Vitnesses:

reach E, provided with the screw-stud e, and GEORGE TERRY,

the front arm, A, having the screw-threaded HIRAM A. GRAY. 

